In the midst of a two-game losing streak, the Oregon offense was in a rut, scoring a season low in back-to-back games against Washington State and Arizona and being outscored in the first half of those games 50-8.
The coaching staff met with every player on the roster last Sunday and one takeaway was holding special teams to a higher standard.
With added pressure of possibly not having its two biggest playmakers, Justin Herbert and Dillon Mitchell, the Ducks needed a big play against UCLA to ease the tension.
After their first drive stalled, the Ducks forced a three-and-out, setting up a punt return for senior Ugochukwu Amadi.
Amadi caught the low punt at his own 44-yard line, ran right through the middle, shook off punter Stefan Flintoft and scored the first special teams touchdown of his career, giving the Ducks a lead they would not relinquish.
“The way it came, I feel like I had enough time I could either catch it and make one person miss or catch it and take off,” Amadi said. “… I just have a feeling for it.”
Special teams being special! Amadi takes a punt return to the house and the Ducks lead UCLA, 7-0, early in the first quarter. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/N9URODRGcu
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 3, 2018
The Oregon Ducks (6-3) ended their two-game skid, defeating the UCLA Bruins (2-7) 42-21 in a game filled with big plays, tricks and some mistakes on both sides.
The first five Oregon touchdowns were set up by Bobby Williams’ special teams unit and UCLA mishaps.
Freshman safety Jevon Holland took the team lead in interceptions (four) and three Oregon touchdowns were helped by UCLA errors, two of which were special teams. Bruins punt returner Adarius Pickett muffed a punt which Brooks-James recovered on the 11-yard line, Justin Hollins stripped quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and returned it to the UCLA 7-yard line and the Bruins botched a field goal attempt when kicker JJ Molson was late to the field and forced a rushed, errant snap, which led to a failed attempt.
Amadi (56 yard punt return), Mitchell (67-yard touchdown reception) and Brooks-James (54 yard touchdown run) all scored touchdowns over 50 yards.
The second Oregon touchdown was nothing out of the ordinary. Running back CJ Verdell punched in a one-yard score. The way the Ducks got into scoring position was something players and coaches have been anticipating for years.
On fourth-and-10 from the 29 yard line, Oregon’s field goal unit entered. On the attempt, UCLA’s block team crashed toward holder Blake Maimone’s back. Maimone sold the kick and spun out of incoming danger to get enough time to throw to tight end Jacob Breeland, who stiff-armed a defender on way to the one yard line.
A great fake field goal leads to a one-yard TD run for CJ Verdell! Ducks lead UCLA, 14-0, with 4:23 left in the first. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/YajWltghB4
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 4, 2018
“That’s been a dream of mine and I’m really thankful for the opportunity and the confidence my coaches had in me to be able to run that play,” Maimone said. “Being able to throw a pass and actually get to make a big contribution like that is something I will never forget.”
The pass was the first of Maimone’s career and he now has a Heisman/hall of fame worthy quarterback rating of 335.2 and a perfect completion percentage.
“It was pretty impressive,” Herbert said. “I thought it was a great play. For the receiver to be able to stay on his feet and get the first down was huge.”
Although Oregon won, the game was not perfect. Adam Stack missed a 21-yard field goal and center Jake Hanson was ejected for targeting. Calvin Throckmorton, who was already playing left tackle for the injured Penei Sewell, moved to center and freshman Steven Jones entered at left tackle.
The Ducks will travel to Utah next week to take on the Utah Utes on Saturday.
Follow Maverick Pallack on Twitter @mavpallack
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